A yet-to-be-ascertained number of Nigerian soldiers have reportedly been killed after Boko Haram insurgents launched a late-night assault on a military base in Borno State, dislodging troops and seizing weapons and vehicles.
According to multiple security sources, the attack occurred on Thursday midnight when heavily armed fighters invaded the base of 152 Task Force Battalion in Banki town, Bama Local Government Area. Banki lies near the Cameroon border and is a key location in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation known as Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).
The insurgents, who reportedly stormed the facility in large numbers, engaged the soldiers in a fierce gun battle before overwhelming them. During the raid, armoured tanks and military vehicles were set ablaze while large quantities of ammunition were carted away.
“Yesterday, 152 TF Battalion close to Banki town under Bama LGA was dislodged by Boko Haram terrorists. They were in charge of the base for several hours stealing military equipment and ammunition. Casualties are still unknown,” a military source said. Another source added that surviving soldiers fled into neighbouring Cameroon for safety as the base burned.
Preliminary accounts indicate that dozens of vehicles were destroyed in the onslaught, and several soldiers remain missing as the army continues to assess the scale of the losses. The Nigerian military has yet to release an official statement on the incident.
Borno State has remained the epicentre of Boko Haram’s bloody insurgency, which has raged for nearly two decades. Despite repeated assurances from authorities that the group has been “technically defeated,” the militants continue to launch deadly attacks on both civilian and military targets. The conflict has claimed more than 100,000 lives and displaced millions across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
Troops have frequently complained about poor equipment and inadequate support, alleging that they are often exposed to better-armed insurgents. The latest attack underscores the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and raises fresh questions about Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy.
Security operations are ongoing in the area as the military attempts to regain control of the base and account for missing personnel.
